E&J's Homecoming

We officially took custody of the Elijah & Josephine late Sunday night - at least that's what date our papers have on them from the US Dept of Health & Human Services - Jan 24, 2010. Around 12:30 am, Monday morning, we were given the approval to leave the Sanford airport with the children. We headed back through the customs/immigration section of the airport, back through the rental car area, and then back to the baggage claim area, where there were media and extended family of some of the other adoptive parents waiting. (I've seen that clip of us on CNN (and maybe Fox News) multiple times now, and would love to have a copy of it on DVD if someone knows how to accomplish this.)

Jock got me settled in a chair with our two sleeping children so he could go fetch the rental car from the parking ramp. When he came back in, he sat with Elijah while I took Josephine with me. I had to get the rental car seats installed in the back seat of the car. Josephine SCREAMED when I sat her down instead of holding her to get them buckled in. Then she SCREAMED more when I sat her in her seat and tried to get her buckled in - all the while kicking and hitting and arching her back to attempt to get out. When Jock came out with Elijah, he was happy to get in the car (the boy loves cars!) - and immediately climbed up and sat down on the seat in between the toddler car seats. I told him in creole, "chita isit" (sit here), pointing to the toddler seat, and he happily complied.

We thought about driving to near the Orlando International Airport that night, so we'd be very close for our flights the next day, but we only made it a few miles before we saw a Hampton Inn sign that called our names. We were settled there in bed by around 2 or 2:30 am. E&J slept just fine between us in the king bed - although Josephine thought it would be fun to sleep on top of my head all morning instead of just beside me. :) We had scheduled a wake-up call for 8 am, but we slept through it. Jock woke up at 8:30, and then we hustled to get ourselves showered and the kids ready for the trip home. Jock grabbed breakfast at the hotel and checked out while I finished getting the kids ready and packed up. We got to the airport around 10:30, returned the rental and headed to check-in. We checked our bags of dirty clothes that we didn't need, and purchase another carry-on bag in case we weren't able to sit together. At the gate, they moved us to the row right behind first class with the extra leg-room, and we were right across the aisle from each other, me with Josephine in a 2-seat section and Jock with Elijah, with another guy on his other side.

That first flight, from Orlando to St Louis was not fun. I had forgotten to take my Dramamine, so I wasn't feeling the greatest. Josephine didn't like getting buckled into her seat, but once she was and I tightened it so she couldn't squirm out, she was fine. About a half-hour from the end of the flight, I noticed that smell that all Haitian adoptive parents know all too well. Josephine had pooped through her overnight diaper and her pants, so I had to wait for the front lavaratory to be free, before taking her in to change her. That's fun, changing a diaper of a scared two-year-old in an airplane lavaratory, who doesn't like to lay still while getting her diaper changed anyway! Elijah was having a grand time on the plane until he started looking at books - one of which was a baby photo book we'd taken for him on our last few visits to Haiti. It was like he suddenly remembered what had happened and what was going on and was struck with grief. He threw a huge tantrum for about 20 minutes before falling asleep, and then did the same for another 20 minutes or so when he woke up. Then he was OK. The poor man (who was wearing a suit!) that was sitting next to Jock was so humble though and very kind about it all.

We did, however, all make it to St Louis in one piece. I just wanted to find a chair so my stomach could calm down. We had a few phone calls to make, and then headed to our gate to catch our final flight - which was miraculously on time even though there was a blizzard going on in Des Moines! We gave the kids a snack, Jock got a sandwich for us all to share, and then he got some french fries, which we brought on the final flight home - LIFE SAVER!!!! E&J love french fries, and it kept them occupied for over half the flight! I had some really cute photos of them on the airplanes, but my camera told me that my memory card needed reformatting when we got home. :(

When we arrived in Des Moines, we were congratulated by some of the others on our flight, who realized what was going on - and also by a few other passengers in the terminal. We stopped off in the restroom, before heading downstairs to meet Kaylen and a small blizzard-braving crowd of family, friends, and media. It was so good to see familiar faces and to be back (almost) home. While we visited with people, friends of ours grabbed our checked bags from the baggage claim, someone pulled up our van to the doors, installed the car seats that'd been hastily just set in the back seat, and brought in our winter coats. When it was time for us to go, it was interesting seeing E&J's reactions to the winter weather gear and to the blizzard. Elijah's was caught on camera by one of the news crews. I was carrying Josephine to the car, holding her head down on my shoulder, but she wondered what was going on and turned towards the snow blowing in her face. She quickly turned back towards me with a wierd, "What is that?!?" look on her face. :)

After a treacherous drive from the airport, we finally arrived back home late Monday night, January 25th. Well, it really wasn't all that late (around 7 pm), but it seemed late. After little sleep over the previous week, anything after dusk felt like it was 2am! Elijah & Josephine fell asleep in the van on the way home, and they were completely out - they didn't even wake up when we unbuckled them and carried them inside. So we peeled off their winter coats and plopped them down on the living room floor. Friends from our church brought us dinner - very welcome after living on airport food for the previous three days - and being gone for a week, with no food in the fridge. They also stocked us up on bananas and milk - awesome!!!

After supper we got Kaylen to bed and then got E&J settled in bed with their warm PJs. At about 10 pm, were about ready to collapse (actually I think Jock already had), when Kaylen was up again. She'd puked all over herself and her bed! I think it was all nerves, but at any rate, we had to get her cleaned up and clean bedding before we could get ourselves to bed. Luckily she was fine, but we couldn't send her to school on Tuesday. That was probably good though, because it gave us all time to settle in at home together, and to really start to be a 5-member family.

About the kids... coming soon...

Yes, I know I've been delinquent. Things got crazy at our house about last Monday night. I do have some tidbits about their first week here, stored up in my failing memory. More so that I don't forget for them, but also to share with you all. Things are going well, but things have been very busy. When things aren't so busy, I'm ready to sleep. Hmmmm... I know, all you moms out there who already have multiple kids or have had babies are shaking your heads in agreement here and laughing right now because I'm just figuring this all out, but that's OK. Anyway, I hope to start posting stuff about them in the next few days. Maybe I'll be able to keep my eyes open during their naptime tomorrow to get some of the stuff down I'm wanting to share. Stay tuned...

Kids still in Haiti

Please remember to keep in your prayers the children that remain in Haiti, waiting to be evacuated to the US on humanitarian parole - and also their adoptive parents waiting to bring them home to their forever families - not only at the FHG orphanage, but at MANY others!

There is more information on FHG's website regarding getting the remaining children from our children's orphanage home to their adoptive families. I did hear, however, that the paperwork was not lost after all - good news. Kim Harmon, FHG's President, was also interviewed by Soledad O'Brien at the beginning of last night's Anderson Cooper 360, to shed a little light on what's going on there. You can find the video of that interview here. (This show also showed us coming out of the airport with our children, and several others - as well as clips of video of some of the children at the orphanage before they were evacuated last week.)

Some of you have heard about UNICEF's role in Haiti. Here is some perspective from three different sources:
http://randybohlender.wordpress.com/2010/01/26/wwunicefd/
http://livesayhaiti.blogspot.com/2010/01/no-place-for-politics.html
http://thehowertons.blogspot.com/2010/01/prayers-for-ronel.html

They're Home!!!

After the last update, it's been a whirlwind! We did fly to Orlando on Saturday, and then traveled to the Sanford airport, arriving around noon. The children landed there around 4:30 that afternoon. Then the drama started. Many families were waiting for their children to be released to them at the Sanford airport. About 1/3 of the children were released to their families between 5:00-7:00 am Sunday (yes we all waited up all night being told, "a couple more hours..." multiple times). Then they halted things and processed another 1/3 of the children who would be flown to meet their families in Colorado.

After that - nothing happened for a LONG time! Oh the roller-coaster of emotions! Sunday afternoon, there were 17 families (25 children) remaining, and they finally called all the families into a conference room to discuss the procedures - which had changed from what we'd been told early that morning. Then they started paperwork and got this new process started for us. We got to see our children briefly late that afternoon, but then sat several more hours before the children were FINALLY released to us at about 1:00 am Monday morning. We got to a hotel around 2, slept for about 6 hours, then got up to head back to the Orlando airport to fly home to Des Moines, via St. Louis. Our flights were all on time - amazing, considering the blizzard that was going on at home. Some family and friends were able to make it to the airport to welcome us home.

We are so blessed. Thank you all so much for all you've done for us - the prayers, avocating with calls to senators/congressmen/State Department, the meals, caring for Kaylen, calls/notes of encouragement, flight costs, welcome at the airport, etc. We're so blessed, and are praising God for the wonderful things he's made of the disaster in Haiti. We continue to pray for families who don't have their children home yet. The news of the halted exits is heartbreaking, and I pray that this new step is quashed quickly and they can get their children home ASAP! These kids need their moms and dads and the stable love and support that they can provide.

As far as Elijah & Josephine - they are doing great! Things have been interesting for all of us trying to adjust to everything new. I'll post more about that later, but wanted to get some photos out here for our friends and family who haven't seen us yet. These were taken tonight after supper - the kids seemingly broke out of their shell after a fairly somber day, and got all wild and silly and giggly. It was so fun! Love these two - God is good!

Praise God!!! Today should be the day!!!

We got a call just after midnight that our kids are going to be on a plane with about 80 others today. They're scheduled to depart Port-au-Prince around 11:30 this morning, landing near Orlando at 2:30 this afternoon. We're told to be prepared for a very long day of processing once they land before they are in our arms. Our arms are longing for them, but we will wait what it takes.

We did get a little sleep, and are up early this morning to pack our bags and get through security. We'll be flying to Orlando this morning, then making a 30-minute drive to where they're coming in - rented toddler seats and all, so we can make the 30-minute trip back to Orlando, then our trip back home to the Des Moines area - probably arriving on Sunday afternoon.

That's the plan anyway. Please pray for us as we make the journey - that our hearts are prepared to receive our children, and their hearts prepared to join us. Please pray for the other families that are meeting their children today along with us. Please pray also for the families that are still awaiting word of their children's travel. There are about 25 children from our orphanage who do not yet have their visas/humanitarian parole approved, and my heart aches for their families. May they all be united soon!

Friday

The kids are not flying into the US tonight as we'd hoped, but they do have most of the kids' approval processed. They're working to get the remaining kids' approvals processed. They may be sending 82 on one plane, and the other 25 on another plane -- or they may try to keep them all together.

There were some conflicting reports this afternoon/evening, but the official news is that we'll be told as soon as there is news to tell. Still not sure when/where. We may need to fly elsewhere, but will be up early tomorrow to check for more news. Will post when we know something more. Thank you for your prayers. Please keep them coming.

Another update from Miami

First, Happy 7th Birthday to my big girl Kaylen! It's so hard to be here and miss her birthday, but we assured her that we'd celebrate with her when we get back - she has presents waiting for her. We're SOOOO THANKFUL that our friends who are staying with her made it a special day for her as well. She was sent off to school with birthday treats, and pizza and cake was had for dinner - even through the ice storm and power outages back home! :)

Today has been a good day. We met up with another adoptive dad for breakfast (or really brunch). He has a daughter at our orphanage and twin boys at another orphanage. When we got to the hotel restaurant for breakfast we heard Jock's name called from the other side of the restaurant to see another family we know having breakfast as well. What a blessing to meet up with these two families this morning. We prayed over our children and visited a while.

We spent the afternoon visiting with the adoptive dad and sharing information and news that we were receiving from various sources. The news was encouraging, but didn't know too much - just that our orphanage director, adoption lawyer, and a couple FHG folks that are in Haiti were working much of the day to get paperwork processed to try to get the 111 children at our orphanage processed for humanitarian parole or visas. Apparently there was some difficulty getting the children to the embassy because of the heat and the traffic, so we were concerned after hearing that some of the babies were getting sick in the hot vehicle so they turned back. We've been praying and following the news all day, hoping that we'd soon have good news to share.

After supper tonight, we were all exhausted, so we decided to hit the sack early - or at least get a nap before the next information update. Jock and I were still checking email and media websites, and calling Kaylen, and then we saw this...

Another press release was posted on For His Glory's website and was emailed to us tonight:

Press Release January 21, 2010
A Difficult Day. A Race Against Time
Blocked roads, heat and missing paperwork complicate orphans departure

(Port-au-Prince, Haiti) Because of State Department procedural requirements, on the morning of January 21, 2010, 114 children left the Maison des Enfants de Dieu (Children of the House of God) orphanage for the U.S. Embassy. Of the 114 children, 111 were the orphans eligible for humanitarian parole to the United States and three were orphans who have Canadian/Argentinean adoptive parents and may also qualify for evacuation. Eighty-seven toddlers and children traveled in a bus and 27 infants traveled in a van, accompanied by orphanage staff, representatives from the U.S. ministry, For His Glory Adoption Outreach (FHG), and members of the press. Dead bodies, debris and abandoned vehicles in the roads made movement very difficult. Temperatures inside the vehicles became extreme and began to make the younger children sick. After 2 hours of little progress, the difficult decision was made to return to the orphanage.

After returning the children to the orphanage, staff members returned to the U.S. Embassy and received permission to process the children's paperwork without the children being physically present. Humanitarian paroles for some of the orphans have been completed, however additional documentation was needed for others. The United States Customs and Immigration Service has pledged to work through the night with FHG staff to ensure that all required documentation will be available Friday in sufficient time to allow all 114 orphans to depart Haiti for the United States. Air Transportation from Haiti is being arranged for the evening of January 22, 2010.

Kim Harmon, President of FHG, stated she is "overwhelmed and amazed by the dedication and willingness of individuals within the U.S. Government to assist in meeting Friday's deadline." She continued to call for "everyone to pray, especially for the health of the children."

We are obviously hopeful and ecstatic about this news. Please join us in prayer that this comes to fruition tonight/tomorrow with no further roadblocks or delays, and that our children land safe and healthy in the US tomorrow night.

Update from Miami

Just wanted to share what we know. We had some conflicting reports yesterday about the kids/adults traveling to the embassy, but it was clarified for us yesterday afternoon. We decided due to the weather and because Des Moines is a hard place to get out of at a moment's notice, to travel to Miami yesterday. From the time we decided to go to the time we got to Miami, it was about a 13-hour timeframe, so that gives you an idea - and we were already packed and ready - and that's with some AWESOME travel agents on our side, working their best to get our flights. We actually had flights booked from DSM thru Dallas/FtWorth to Miami, but that one was delayed and we would have missed our connection, so as we were driving to the airport and standing right at check-in they confirmed our switch to an earlier flight thru Chicago. That one wasn't delayed, we got on our connection to MIA, and then sat on the runway for an hour while they fixed the seal on the door of the airplane before take-off. But with no connection to make and a guaranteed hotel room waiting at the airport, we were good at that point. A HUGE shout-out to the folks at ITA Group for helping us with our flight and hotel arrangements. There's NO WAY we could have done that ourselves!!! So, we are here in Miami, very tired, because we arrived after midnight (EST), then were up a couple more house trying to catch up on the day's news.

Here's what we received from For His Gloryyesterday:
Orphans Intend to Depart Port-au-Prince... Again
Confusing and complicated orphan process delays orphan's departure

(Port-au-Prince, Haiti) On January 20, 2010, staff from the Maison des Enfants de Dieu (Children of the House of God) orphanage accompanied by representatives from the U.S. ministry, For His Glory Adoption Outreach (FHG), attempted to obtain humanitarian parole from the U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince for 133 orphans. The orphanage staff and FHG representatives were turned away because of confusion about photo requirements for each child. Additionally, they were informed that humanitarian parole would only apply to approximately 111 of the 132 children from the Maison des Enfants de Dieu orphanage. These are the orphans who have a "United States qualified referral" dated prior to the earthquake on January 12, 2010.

In accordance with specific instructions received today, orphanage staff and FHG representatives will depart for U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince in the early morning of January 21, 2010, with the 109 children eligible for humanitarian parole. We anticipate they will receive authority to depart Haiti via air by the early afternoon and will provide further information on the actual schedule as soon as we have it. Three of the remaining 24 children are being adopted by parents in Argentina and Canada and are waiting for those countries to announce their evacuation procedures. The remaining 18 children at Maison des Enfants de Dieu orphanage will remain in Haiti since they have not yet been referred for international adoption. The orphanage receives request each day to accept new orphans, however their ability to accept children orphaned since the earthquake is very limited. Orphanage staff today reported they were out of diapers, low on food and they remained concerned about security at the orphanage.

Kim Harmon, President of FHG, underscored her call "to all who care about these precious children to pray earnestly for their safety and that the complicated humanitarian parole process can be successfully completed tomorrow. We are thankful to the Lord for where He has brought us and for everyone's tireless prayer and work to accomplish His will in bringing these children home soon. We pray that the wait will not be much longer and continue to work to that end."

FHG is a ministry to the people and children of Haiti. Our ministry is dedicated to fundraising and assisting the orphanage, Maison des Enfants de Dieu, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Please pray with us, believing that today is the day!

PRAY!!!

The following Press Release was received from For His Glory after I went to sleep last night... followed by the JCICS statement from yesterday evening. Your prayers are needed more than ever today as they attempt to reach the embassy and stand in long lines to try to reach home. In addition a 6.1 earthquake hit near Port-au-Prince this morning, and here at home we're having an ice storm so there's little chance we'd be able to get out of Iowa today - the DSM airport runways are currently closed, along with all schools, etc. Thank you for your prayers!

Orphans Intend to Depart Haiti
Orphans begin procedures to depart Haiti at U.S. Embassy

(Port-au-Prince, Haiti) On January 20, 2010, 133 orphans from the Maison des Enfants de Dieu (Children of the House of God) orphanage will begin the difficult process outlined by the U.S. Department of State for humanitarian parole and onward transportation to the United States. In accordance with instructions received from the State Department, as relayed by the Joint Council on International Children's Services (JCICS) at 8 p.m. today, orphans along with orphanage staff members have been instructed to arrive at the U.S. Embassy as early as possible on Wednesday morning. JCICS warned that no food, water or facilities would be available for the children while processing at the U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince.

JCICS further relayed that orphanage requests to the U.S. Embassy for security and transportation for the children have been denied by the State Department. The U.S. ministry associated with this orphanage, For His Glory Adoption Outreach (FHG), was also asked to stop requesting security, transportation or even water at the orphanage location. Following discussions with staff and board members in Port-au-Prince, the difficult decision was made that all 133 children, including approximately 60 children under the age of 3, will begin early in the morning of January 20th to walk the over 2 kilometers to the U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince. This decision was made due to the limited staff available and the increasingly dangerous security situation at the orphanage in Port-au-Prince. The staff will carry as much water, food and baby formula as possible with them for the orphans while processing at the U.S. Embassy. JCICS relayed that once processing is completed, the orphans will travel to the United States on "cargo jets to locations that are not often known until an hour or so before the flight leaves."

Kim Harmon, President of FHG, acknowledged that "this arrangement is far from ideal for the safety and well-being of the children. We are calling to all who care about these precious children to pray earnestly for their safety tomorrow."

FHG is a ministry to the people and children of Haiti. Our ministry is dedicated to fundraising and assisting the orphanage, Maison des Enfants de Dieu, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.



JCICS STATEMENT
January 19, 2010 8 p.m. est

UPDATE: Haiti

It is once again my job to be the barrier of bad news. Another day come and gone and no change. Despite extensive Congressional support and all of your calls to your Members of Congress we have hit roadblock after roadblock. At this point we respectfully ask that you stop contacting your Members of Congress requesting their assistance with obtaining security, transportation, and water for the location. The Department of State has not and apparently will not provide the small assistance that we have requested.

Given the current circumstances, at this point we are recommending that someone from each orphanage escort the children who qualify for humanitarian parole or adoption visas to the U.S. Embassy in Port-A-Prince. We recommend that the orphanage staff arrive with the children and any adoption paperwork that has not been destroyed as early as possible in the morning in order to attempt to obtain visas or parole for the children. Please understand that this option may not be considered safe and that the U.S. Embassy did not allow some orphanages onto the premises today. Additionally, please note that it has been reported that there is no food, water or facilities for the children to use while at the Embassy. As noted during our conference call earlier today, these are our recommendations only and should not be used to replace your or your orphanage director's good judgment.

It is our understanding that any children processed by USCIS in Port-A-Prince are leaving on U.S. cargo jets to locations that are not often know until a hour or so before the flight leaves. At times children have left Haiti without the knowledge of their adoptive parents.

This is currently the worst case scenario for the children's well-being and safety but at the moment there are no other options.

As we receive more information we will continue to share it with you. While the situation at the moment is terrible I can only hope that our collective efforts produce some positive news. Despite the roadblocks Joint Council has not given up on the save haven and we continue to advocate for its creation and a more transparent and safe process in uniting these children with their adoptive families.

Rebecca

Oh my goodness!

Our emotions are on overdrive as we continue to do all we can to advocate for our children, and as we prepare for them to come home. I've barely had a dry eye all day!

We were on a JCICS conference call this morning. We got some documents and photos printed that we'll need when we travel. We got our things packed (mostly) for the trip - diapers, clothes, shoes for the kids, papers for evidence of our adoption, camera, laptop, a few snacks, etc, etc, etc. Last night I got E&J's car seats ready - have yet to put them in the van though.

I'm overwhelmed by the support we've received these last few days. Our Bible study group is providing dinner to us tonight and tomorrow night if we're still here. We've had TONS of hits on our blog - 40 times what we usually had before the local news stories ran. We've had offers for help in many other ways. My aunt emailed with another offer, and I'm again wordless. My best friend called me this afternoon, and I could barely make out a squeak with the offer she presented me with - and then had to email her to have her repeat it in an email to make sure I heard what she was saying.

I have few words, other than THANK YOU!!! Thank you for your prayers and support - they mean so much!

As far as news, we're still awaing word on our children's visas. It seems that we were far enough along in the process that they're going to expedite the children's visas instead of offering them humanitarian parole. We're hopeful that this will happen, and will be happy, as it will mean that our adoption will be final when they're home. In the case of humanitarian parole, there will be more to do to get the adoption final when they're home.

It seems that when they have their visas in hand, they will be flown to somewhere in the US, and we will have to meet them where ever they land. We're praying that we are able to fly without delay and get there as soon as possible. There's supposedly freezing rain forecast for tomorrow, so we're praying that doesn't cause us problems. The joys of winter travel!

Please keep pray for ALL of Haiti's adoptive children to get home to their adoptive families ASAP! There is more information about what you can advocate for on the main page of For His Glory's website and on JCICS' website and blog. I don't see a synopsis of the JCICS conference call on there yet, but there was more information about the visas vs humanitarian parole than what's on their website. If I see more later, I'll try to post a link - or you can just watch for it.

Missing my mom

There are so many things going on in our lives right now, but wanted to take a moment away from all that here. Five years ago today we lost my mom to breast cancer. We love her and miss her, but know she is at home with Jesus, and we'll see her again someday.

Photos and a post from here still apply. One of my favorite songs to listen to and remember my mom: "Dancing with the Angels" by Monk & Neagle. You can find it on YouTube or can google it!

Sunday's Updates

Things were developing faster today than we could keep up with. We went to church this morning, and kept our 3rd Sunday schedule of helping with the preschool Sunday School, then attended the 2nd service. I can't say that I had it all together, but it was a good morning. Jock actually sang with the worship choir, but I didn't this month because I wasn't sure if I could hold it together. The pastor mentioned our situation, and asked for prayers for us, so I'm glad I wasn't on the risers. Then right after he did the prayer request, was the shaking of hands with others. Somehow I held it together. The elder sitting behind us in church re-introduced himself to us after the service - he didn't realize who I was until I turned around to shake hands with him and he saw my red eyes. Our church has been such a big support to us this week (and really - throughout this whole adoption process), and I'm so thankful!

After church we had a message on our phones from KCCI wanting to do a story. We'd contacted both KCCI and WHO-TV last night, wanting to spread the news to ask for prayers and ask for others to contact congressmen/senators to get the humanitarian visas issued SOON!!! We quick caught a bit and spiffed up the house a bit before the reporter and cameraman were at our house. When they were finishing up we got a call from WHO wanting to come out. The articles are now posted online on both the KCCI website and the WHO-TV website. I imagine the videos will be posted soon as well. It made me very nervous to put our story out there, but we really wanted to advocate for our children. We're very pleased with how both stories turned out. We realized Jock mis-spoke in the KCCI one when he talked about Haiti's statistics. He should have said, "1 in 5 don't make it to age 5," not "1 in 5 do." Nerves will do that to you, I suppose.

After the interviews we made a quick trip to Dairy Queen. We've been so stressed about everything, that we just needed that break. And, I love ice cream! :) So, we had our dessert first, and then stopped by the McDonald's Drive-thru for supper on our way home. :)

Then we got back to the whirlwind of the information & communication coming out of the orphanage. Our orphanage had two updates today they posted on their website today. Wow! Things are happening! God is working! HE is working NOW! It seems that things are going to move quickly - even early this week??? - as far as them coming home. Thank you Jesus!!! Oh my, my head is spinning!

There was LOTS of news coverage of our orphanage today also. Fox News and CBS News had reporters there. There is footage of the little babies they've moved into the box truck and are feeding regular milk instead of formula because that's all they have. There's footage of a reporter talking to Pierre (orphanage director) about the lack of food and water and medicine/IV fluids. There's footage of the children singing praise songs to the LORD. There's footage of the toddlers and older children sleeping on mattresses outside on the ground under tents. We're thankful that one of them brought water for the children - can't remember which - too much information swirling in my brain tonight. We also heard that the UN and the Salvation Army brought supplies to our orphanage.

Tomorrow... Jock and Kaylen are off work/school for the holiday - my office doesn't close for MLK. I'm going to head to work in the morning to get some documents scanned and sent off, speak to my boss and wrap a few things up there, and then likely head back home to prepare a few more things. We now have the kids' beds ready for them. Not that we didn't have them ready before but their bedroom had become sort of a storage room recently, their beds were still made from the last company we had, etc. Now we can walk around. I've got several errands to run, several phone calls to make, etc. We're getting ready in case we get a call to fly somewhere in the US sometime in the next couple days.

Please keep us and ALL the children in Haiti and their families in your prayers. I must go switch laundry, then make a list (I inherited that skill from my mom :), then hopefully sleep will come. I think I'm just about exhausted enough that I'll be able to sleep. Story of my life the last 5 days! LORD give us strength!

One last thing...

URGENT CALL FOR PRAYER

From the FHG website:

We received word from Pierre this morning that the situation in the orphanage is becoming dire. We would like to ask EVERYONE that receives this to use this information to get on your knees before our Lord and ask Him to provide.

We have one nanny that is deceased and the orphanage needs her body to be removed.

The orphanage has no drinkable water.

In addition they need:

• formula for babies
  
• medicines
  
• IV fluids (one child is currently on an IV)
  
• charcoal to cook
  
• diesel
  
• cash to buy supplies if they find them. They are running out of cash and there are no banks open to get cash, so it needs to be delivered by someone already on the ground or by helicopter.

Others are beginning to rob them of what supplies they do have.

There are helicopters flying over the orphanage and they have made a sign on the roof that says they are an orphanage and need help.

The staff is also working to get together all the paperwork for each child that has an adoptive family in a way that it can be attached to their body if there is an opportunity to evacuate.

For His Glory is doing everything we can on this end to contact people who may be able to help. Please pray. Currently, that is the best thing you can do to help. Kim is doing everything she can, and respectfully requests that adoptive families do not call her at this time. We realize this is a very difficult time, however she needs her phone and time available to do everything she can to make contacts to try to help the children and staff at the orphanage. We will give you any updates we have as soon as they are available.

Trusting in Him,
For His Glory

Today's Developments

First, I'm in completely in AWE of what the Lord is doing in Haiti. This is still a devastating situation in Haiti, but so much could have been so much worse. Our children are safe at the orphanage. The property damage at the orphanage is substantial (property border walls have fallen, unsure how safe the building is) but the children are all safe and the two injured adults are doing OK, the government brought tents for the children to sleep under so they can remain out of the buildings until they can be determined safe, they have food, and were able to get water. We finally heard today that our Haitian adoption lawyer is safe. There is more detail about this on FHG's website. There are also some developments that could bring the children home soon.

Second, let me thank so many of you for your prayers with and for us and so many others who are concerned for the children in Haiti and many others there in need. I've been overwhelmed with the responses and the prayers, and so thankful for our family and friends. It's been a very stressful week with trying to keep up with all the communication out there. I'm also thankful to our friends in the adoption community. You have all been a great support system to us in communicating ideas, information updates, prayers, etc.

I was in contact today with someone from both of our Senators' offices and our district's House Rep's office. All three are doing what they can to advocate for us and several other families in Iowa. Things are developing on this front, and we are hopeful that we may be able to get humanitarian visas for the children, and then complete the remaining steps of the adoption here while they are safe and sound here with us. There is more information on the JCICS website - they are an organization that advocates for international adoptions. This is the same information that we are hearing from our senators/house rep contacts.

We are working to pull together any documentation we have regarding our adoption. While our children legally became our children in March 2009, have our last name, and their Haitian adoption decrees are final, we are not sure if there is any copies of documentation to this affect, aside from our original paperwork that is likely under the rubble of what was the Haitian government's Ministry of Interior office.

Please pray:

• about paperwork - that there are copies somewhere accessible, and if not, that what we can pull together from email notifications, etc will be enough to show that we are E & J's legal parents.
  
• for the planning that the US Government agencies are doing to bring children home to their families - that not only those of us who had completed adoptions, but also those who were not quite as far in the process, would be able to bring their children home. This will free up resources at many orphanages in Haiti to care for the countless other children undoubtedly orphaned by the recent tragedy.
  
• for those leading the orphanage and For His Glory, and our adoption lawyer as they continue their work for the children of Haiti.
  
• for the children in Haiti - whether aware or unaware of what is going on around them, likely confused and frightened - and also for their continued safety.
  
• for our sanity. It is difficult and stressful and exhausting combing through all the information coming through and determining oru next steps.
  
• for Kaylen. We have shielded her from much of the tragic information, but she is affected by our emotions. We are preparing her for the possibility of her brother and sister coming home soon - as we prepare ourselves and our home.

And again...

I wanted to mention again For His Glory's website. They are doing an awesome job of keeping us informed of what they are hearing and what they are doing/planning/needing.

And, we have contacted our US Senators, House Representative, the State Department, and the white house. As many other adoptive families, we are raising a plea for them to advocate for us in whatever capacity needed to get children who have families in the US home to their families so that the full orphanages may be able to care for other children desperately in need of help. I welcome others to contact their US senators/representatives, advocating for adoptive families with children in Haiti. There is also an online petition here I welcome you all to join us in signing.

I spent much of the day today reading, digesting, relaying information. I needed this. I felt like I was able to accomplish something, so that is good. I must go to work tomorrow and get some things accomplished there, so pray that I'm able to concentrate and be productive while I am there. Please keep praying with for our children and many others and about getting children home to their families.

I think that is all for now.

Updates

(read to the bottom - I've added more since originally posting)

Thank you for all your prayers. This disaster and watching/waiting for communication is consuming us. Prayers are still needed. Here's more...

• First, PLEASE contact your US Senator and Representative about approving HUMANITARIAN VISAS for adopted children in Haiti. This would allow adopted children to go home now, and make more room in orphanages for thousands of helpless "earthquake orphans". And PRAY!!! We've heard there is a special meeting regarding this issue at the US State Dept tomorrow at 10AM. We are in the process of contacting our senators/rep now.
  A couple notes about this:
  **It may be helpful to also contact the state department and possibly Bill Clinton in his role as the UN Special Envoy to Haiti, and with his non-profit organization that serves Haiti.
  **I don't know what this would mean for our adoptions if families would be able to get their kids here on a humanitarian or refugee or medical visas. I don't know if that would mean that they would become US citizens through a naturalization/citizenship process, but they would be here with their families, and it would free up the orphanage to be able to continue helping support the countless other children in Haiti who have been orphaned by this terrible disaster.
  **I haven't seen a petition letter anywhere. I've got a draft letter, but it's too long and detailed for others to use, because of the contacts we've already extablished last month when we were requesting assistance with our DNA testing issues. If I find one that would work, will post it.
  
  
• Jock is NOT planning to travel to Haiti. At least not right now. Thank you for your prayers this morning. He has spoken with the FHG director and a board member today about this and about how he can best be of assistance. More about this later from him. He'll be posting some on here - so watch the author line at the bottom of posts to see who wrote it.
  
  
• Within the last couple hours FHG heard the following from an American family living in Haiti: "We stopped by the creche on the night of the earthquake and one of the guards told us that all of the children were safe and unharmed. The wall outside of the creche was pretty severely damaged, but the building looked good. However, we did not go inside as we were in route to taking people to the hospital, so I cannot give you information about what it looked like inside. That's about all of the information I have. We are hoping to stop by the creche tomorrow if we make it down to PAP.
  

And just now from our orphanage director:

The most recent news I have: At the orphanage a wall fell. Two employees were hurt but are getting along OK. The children are all fine. Pierre was having trouble getting water but had suceeded. He got something in his right eye. He would be glad if you could let the others know.

Praise God for HIS provision for our children. Water was the thing we were worried about the most. GOD IS GOOD!

Just for your information, here are a few other places we are following updates:

• God's Littlest Angels Orphanage's website They are in the outskirts of Port-au-Prince - past Petionville in the mountains.
  
• The Livesay Family's blog and twitter page - they are in the Tabarre area of Port-au-Prince
  
• The press releases on the US State Department's website
  
• and of course the news agencies, websites, articles...
  

Updates are coming shortly

...just hold on - I can only type so fast and have gotten several emails also.

Continued Prayers Needed

We still have heard of no communication with our orphanage since 20 minutes after the earthquake hit - nothing with the aftershocks, overnight, security, building damage, water, etc. Someone posted of Facebook this morning that a missionary family reported they were safe, and we are clinging to that.

This should be the least thing on my mind with safety, health, and tragedy abounding, but I'm sick about our adoption process. Our children had adoption decrees, and have our last name. We were near the end of the process, but waiting on passports and visas. I don't know if there are copies of our dossier anywhere - at our lawyer's office or at the orphanage. Nobody has heard from our adoption lawyer in Haiti either - that we know of. He is based in the Carrefour area of Port-au-Prince, where the epicenter was.

We are going to be contacting our government representatives (house rep/senators) to see what our options are as far as humanitarian/emergency visas. I saw the MSN article about the family in Washington, but without copies of our adoption decrees, etc, I'm not sure what is even possible. We had contacted our senators/rep last month regarding the DNA testing, so we've already established that connection, so maybe that can help.

Jock is feeling God telling him to go, now. I'm struggling with this, and obviously is a prayer concern. We need to be together on this decision. Pray for God to make it clear to both of us what he is to do.

Anyway, please keep praying. Things are very stressful and scary right now. Too many questions, not enough answers.

The latest this evening

Still no communication wtih Haiti. I haven't heard if the FHG rep made it to Haiti, but if so, they have purchased a sattelite radio to take. Also, they are trying other missionaries that are communicating on the internet, as well as ham radio which apparently only works at night. Regarding adoptions:

All Haitian adoptions will be impacted by this disaster. I have received news that the JCICS and the State Department are discussing possible solutions. Please be in prayer about this.

Not much to update

For His Glory has not been able to reach the orphanage staff since about 20 minutes after the earthquake hit yesterday, so we do not know what things were like following the aftershocks, during the night and today - other than what we've heard the media report, but that does not cover the orphanage specifically. FHG has someone trying to get into Port-au-Prince to establish communication to give us more information. Until then we pray.

One of the first thoughts that came to mind when I awoke this morning was scripture from Romans 8:18-28, and am praying this today, especially verses 26-28, as my words are few:

18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

(James 1:2 also came to mind, but I'm having a hard time processing that one right now.)

Here's what I know...

Our children are in Port-au-Prince, where there is extensive damage. Our ministry's (For His Glory) director spoke with the orphanage director about 20 minutes after the initial quake hit. A nanny/cook was injured when a wall fell on her and the director had an injury to his eye. All the children were OK, although I imagine quite shook up. Since that report, there hasn't been any communication from our orphanage that I'm aware of. I don't know what has gone on there during the aftershocks and overnight.

I'm following things closely, and waiting for more news, which is difficult with communication lines and power - which weren't stable to begin with - are now out. The FHG ministry, which oversees operations and funding for the orphanage is posting updates on their website (www.forhisgloryoutreach.org) as they have any information. The board is organizing response/relief efforts - there is concern for basic needs - clean water, food, medicine, shelter. There are some missionaries in Haiti, even in Port-au-Prince that do still have internet, so I am watching for communication from them as well.

It seems trivial and selfish to be concerned over our adoption process now, but of course it is on my mind as well. Our paperwork sits in a Haitian government office that is likely damaged or collapsed. This tragedy will undoubtedly slow or halt all adoption processes as the government officials work to literally dig out from the rubble and deal with the widespread devastation in the country before they resume normal operations - if normal is even now possible...

But at the forefront is the devastation, loss of life, and basic needs that were already hard to come by in Haiti - in the best of times - and now... Please continue to pray for those in Haiti, those outside Haiti affected, and those working on relief efforts. If you'd like to help, there is a link to donate online on the FHG website. Please consider a donation - large or small - the needs are great.

Haiti Earthquake

Please pray. I've just heard about a 7.0 earthquake that struck just west of Port-au-Prince, followed by several strong 5+ aftershocks. The director of For His Glory just has spoken with Pierre, the director of the orphanage:

"I spoke with Pierre and he says that a nanny/cook was injured when a wall fell on her during the earthquake. Pierre received injury to his eye. All of the children seem to be ok. I forgot to tell him that the hospital had collasped. I think he was on his way there with the nanny. Please pray for everyone in Haiti."

It's good to know that our children are safe and unharmed, but this is devestating to the country. Most buildings are built of unreinforced concrete, slums with corrugated steel, and mountainsides filled with shacks, etc. Obviously huge concern. I'm keeping my eye on the news. CNN is covering right now... Will let you know if I hear any more. Please just keep all in Haiti and those outside of Haiti affected by this in your prayers.

Update: CNN is reporting that many buildings have collapsed in Port-au-Prince - even the more (relatively) sturdy government buildings have damage if not collapsed. And some photos from our previous trips to give you an idea of the buildings that are in Haiti - notice the construction materials and also how the houses are built on the mountainsides.

In the Port-au-Prince slums along the bay - either Cite Soliel or La Saline - houses made of corrugated steele - not even concrete block in some of these areas:









The hillside view from the hotel we've stayed at - in the Delmas area of Port-au-Prince:









Driving through Petionville into the Mountains East of Port-au-Prince:









The countryside view from the Baptist Mission's cafe:









Government buildings in downtown Port-au-Prince:

Attachment Parenting

When people talk about adoption, attachment disorders often come up. Many people don't understand it. I cannot say that I fully understand it either, but I have learned a lot over the last almost-4 years. I thought I would share some things that could help others who might be working through attachment issues. I'm not looking for pity or criticism or even to share the intimate details of what's been going on in our house recently (I'll be vague to protect the privacy of our family). But rather, in the hopes of knowledge-sharing.

We have known for a while that we are dealing with some issues relating to attachment disorder. We do not see all the textbook signs/symptoms - but some. And, the issues we deal with are not severe in nature, but there are definitely ways we have to parent differently than a parent not dealing with attachment disorders would.

We have rarely been criticized openly regarding our parenting, but it has happened. We also sometimes feel judgement (stares, silence, etc.) regarding some of the parenting techniques we use. It's hard - really hard - to feel the judgement and criticism, especially from people who know little about adoption parenting, and those who do not know our family well.

Yes, there are many times we screw up. We say and do things that don't work or make things more difficult than they already are. WE are probably the harshest critics of our own parenting. When things don't work, we question whether we're doing the right thing or if we've just made things worse.

Another adoptive mom posted a list of things that others (and ourselves!) have thought or said with regard to attachment parenting. The ones that get me the most are, "They are so controlling", and "Oh, all children do that!" These comments are hard to combat. Unless you know a child intimately who has attachment issues, you cannot truly understand. As a parent, you just know that you're dealing with something different than typical childhood behaviors - it simply cannot always be explained.

We had a good deal of time the last several months where things were going quite well. The things we've been doing were really taking hold. Attitudes and behaviors improved, and connections were being made... Then the winter weather and the holidays came around. We probably loosened the reigns and let our guard down after the good times. We let go of some of our routines. We allowed more freedoms than we normally would... Things all came tumbling down.

We've been working through some tough emotions and behaviors lately. We've had to re-implement some strict boundaries and reset stricter limits on certain things. We've had many heart-to-heart conversations. We've added lots of extra devoted time. It seems to be helping.

I've been doing some research online recently for some attachment-building activities to do together when we're having hard days, but found much more information than I thought I was looking for. This website describes some basics about what sorts of signs/symptoms make up attachment disorders. Another website I found contains a wealth of suggestions for parenting a child with attachment disorder. I'm trying to implement some of these techniques as well.

We are having to take time out of other activities we'd rather be doing to work through this stuff. It is embarrasing, especially at the most inconvenient times, but it's what we have to do. And while we do, we are so thankful to our friends and family for being so supportive and allowing us the freedom, without criticism, to parent as we feel appropriate.

Please pray that we can continue to work through these issues, that our family can grow healthier attitudes, behaviors, and relationships. We are believing that God will help us become all the stronger as we work through this together.

My Hopes and Goals for 2010

I don’t typically make New Year’s resolutions, because they’re such cliché. I do have some hopes and also some goals, I just don’t call them resolutions.

My biggest hope for the new year is for our Elijah & Josephine to come home. It will happen, and we’re praying all goes smoothly this next couple of months to make that happen sooner rather than later. It gives me such joy to think about them being here with us!

Of course, like most women I want to lose weight. I have a goal in mind that I won’t share here, but it all revolves around continuing to exercise more and eat healthier. This is something I did really well last spring/summer, but stopped with my shin splints in the fall. I have many options now for exercise (treadmill, Wii Fit Plus, walking with a friend), so I shouldn’t get bored and quit. I also try to always eat healthy – and for the most part I’ve been eating lots more fruits and vegetables in the last several months, so I want to keep that up.

I want to continue working hard on my relationships – first and foremost with my husband and my children. Not that there are glaring issues, but it’s the little things that count, and I need to focus on those things that really make a difference in our family. My marriage has held through some tough times, and is all the stronger for it, and I want to continue to make this a top priority. Kaylen and I have struggled with our relationship, partly due to her past, details of which I will not go into here. But I’ve worked hard to move beyond those issues. Things have improved greatly over the last year, and I want that to continue.

And last but most certainly not least, I need to make God my top priority. Last year at this time, I made an effort to spend more time in the Word and in prayer. I continued this throughout the year – although at some times I did better than others – and it really paid off in other areas of my life. Taking that time out of my busy schedule, away from the busy-ness of life, really makes a huge impact. “For nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37), and “Apart from HIM, I can do nothing.” (John 15:5).